Coin-delivering machine



Bic. HOEFER.

COIN DELIVERING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 18, 19 |s.

1,388,861 Patentd Aug. 30, 1921.

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com DELIVERING MACHINE.

' APPLICATION FILED JAN. 18, I918- 1,388,861. P t ntedAug.30,1921.

3 SHEEfS-SHtEI 2 UNITED STATES um OFFIQE.

nEn AMm c. HOEFER, 01+ KANSAS orr MISSOURI, ASSIGNQR TO nonrnn CHANGE; MAKER COMPANY, or KANSAS CI Y, rssoonr, A GQRPORATION'I'.

Application filed January 18,1913. serial No. 212,387.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN U. i-Ionrnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Coin-Delivering Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specifi- Cation; p

:This invention relates broadly to coin delivering machines, and more particularly to improvements in machines for making change by ejecting simultaneously or separately a plurality of coins of various denominations or combinations of such coins.

My invention is primarily designed as an improvement over the devices of my prior Patents No. 1105516 and 1105517, granted July 28th, 1914 and my prior Patent No. 1,268,462, granted June a, 1918.

More particularly my present invention embodies improvements in the means for actuating the ejecting mechanism, a shiftable scale cooperating with a stationary scale being employed in place of the keys of my previous applications; and an improvement in the lock and lock release mechanism.

In the prior devices, embodied in the patents mentioned, a plurality of keys are provided carrying figures indicating the values in dollars and cents, which certain keys or combination of keys will cause to be delivered when actuated manually. I have designed my presentinvention with a view to simplifymg the structures without w1th-' drawing any of the advantageous features of mypriordevices, but tending to cheapen the manufacture of the same and provide for as great if not a greater range of application and use.

One of the principal objects of my invention is to provide means, which in the presentinstance embodies a pair of scale members which not only leaves the calculation of change practically-entirely to the machine, but also indicates after an operation and delivery of the coin' or coins the correct remainder amounting to the difference between the amount tendered and the amount of purchase. By removing the .slidable scale and substituting a pointer as will hereinafter appear, the machine may be employed Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 30, 1921.

for direct making. Another object of the present invention 1s t o provide an improved lock and release, which while embodying the same general idea as that of the previous devices ment1oned, is more simple and positive in its actlon. o

1 Other objects and advantages will appear from the following detailed description and paying as well for change the appended claims, taken with an inspection of the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodying the improvements of my present invention V Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same with cover removed; f

Fig. 3 is a vertical-section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; a

Fig. 1 is atop plan view of the scales; Fig. 5 is a top plan View of a modified form of scale; j

Fig. 6 is a fragmental perspective of the slidable scale used in Fig. 5; and

Fig. '7 is a detail of the frame structure;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view showing a counting mechanism employed in connection with an ejector lever;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view showing a yielding stop for limiting theoutward movement of the ejector levers; and

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view showing a yielding stop for limitingthe inward movement of the ejector levers.

The present invention embodies a main supporting frame comprising end walls 10 and 11 maintained in spaced relation by a front top panel 12, a rear panel 13 and intermediate bars 15 and 16, each of the latter serving an additionalpurpose which will hereinafter appear.

The upper front portions of the sides 10 and 11 carry upwardly extending posts 17 and 18, the lower nds of said posts being rectangular as at 19 and 20, best illustrated in Fig. 1, and fastened to the side walls by means of screws 22 or the like, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The posts 17 and 18 serve to support a coin chamber structure designated C in its entirety and described in detail later. A pair of supporting legs 2-1 is carried by the lower ends of the side walls to support the frame at the inclination shown. The front of the frame is supported by a foot portion designated F in its entirety and carried by the forward portion of the machine, said foot comprising a base portion 25 and side portions 26, the side portions 26 being formed with right angular'ext'ensions 27 and 28 which are in turn bent to form portions 29 which are riveted or otherwise secured to the side walls. An angle bar 30 is disposed at the rear of the foot F, screws 31 or the like serving to connect said bar to the portions 27 and 28 of the foot member hereinbefore referred to.

The intermediate cross bars15 and 16 are connected to the end walls 10 and 11 as best shown in Fig. 7. The opening 95 in the wall 10 for receiving the end of the bar 15 is fomed substantially wider at the top than at. the bottom. The top or enlarged portionof the opening is'just wide enough to allow of the insertion of the 'bar 15 therethrough. The bar 15 is notched as shown to form a reduced portion. 96 and a head portion 97 the reduced portion 96 being of such a width as to be snugly embraced by thelower or reduced portion of the opening 95.

The bar 15 is inserted in the opening 95 by way of the enlarged portion thereof after which a filler bar or plate 14: is inserted in the enlarged portion of the opening on top of the bar 15 to prevent vertical displacement of the same. A cotter pin 15 (Fig. 3) is then inserted through suitable openings in the bars 15 and it. said openings registering. Longitudinal displacement of the bar 15 is prevented by engagement of the head portion 97 of the bar 15 withthe shoulders 99 formed in the opening 95 by the reduced portion thereof. 1 do not limit myself to this formof connection but have found the same to be very efficient in practical use.

An angle bar 33 isplaced at the top of the main frame at the rear of the panel 12, said angle bar being connected to the panel in any suitable manner, and serves a purpose which will hereinafter appear.

The coin carrier C comprises a plurality of chambers 0 which are of various sizes adapted to receive coins of different denominations. The lower ends of the pockets 0 are open and coin supporting flanges c are formed on the inner surfaces of the walls of said pockets. said flanges terminating short of the front margins of said walls, so as to permit of the ready ejcctment of coins.

The ejecting mechanism of the present invention comprises a phirality of U-shaped bars 34., similar to the structure described in the patents and pplications mentioned in the foregoing.

The U-shaped bars are nested and are all journaled for partial rotation on a single transverse shaft 35 disposed adjacent the lower end of the frame and mounted in the end walls thereof.

Theshaft is maintained against longitudinal movement by means of screws 89 entering the ends of the same and washers 88 on the outside of the walls.

Mounted on the shaft 35 is a plurality. of ejector levers 36 formed preferably of sheet metaland provided with tongues 37 to be engaged in various combinations by one or more of the U-shaped members 34. The upper ends'of the levers 36 are offset as at 38 and provided with shoulders 39 to engage the bar 15 and limit movement rearwardly. Bearings 10 are formed on the upper free ends of the levers 36, ejector fingers 41 being pivotally mounted on said bearings and projecting through suitable openings 42 provided in the panel 12 into the bottom end of the pockets 0 of the coin holder C. The levers are maintained in the positions shown by means of a plurality of coiled springs 14: or the like, the rear ends of the springs being connected as at 15 to the bar 13 and the front ends of the springs being connected to projections 16 carried by the fingers 11 adjacent the bearings.

Movement is imparted to the levers 36 selectively or in groups by means of a plurality of selector arms 17 pivotally mounted on the shaft 35 and having their front ends disposed forwardly of the machine over the foot F and their rear ends'bent upwardly to form extensions 48, said extensions having tongues 19 formed thereon projecting forwardly. The tongues49 are arranged to engage certain of the U-shaped members 34 either in groups or singly and the movement imparted to said U-sha'pcd members is in turn imparted to the selected levers 36 by means of the tongues 37 whereby to eject a coin or a plurality of the same. The bar 16 acts as a stop to'maintain the selector arms 17 in the position shown in Fig. 3, which is the normal position when at rest. A guide plate 50 is carried by the bar 15 and is formed with a plurality of slots 50 to receive the portions 39 of the lever 36 so that said arms will be guided in their movement during an ejecting operation.

The front ends of the selector arms 17 are provided with enlargements 52 which extend upwardly and are received between stationary spaced tongues 53, said tongues being disposed between top and bottom bars 5% and 55. The free ends of the bars 54 and 55 arebent angularly-into parallel relation, and screw members 56 or the like are engaged therewith through the end walls 26 of the footF as best shownin Figs. 1 and 3.

Spacing plates57 are placed between the tongues 53 said plates being of "substantially the same thickness as the enlarged portions 52 of the key arms 47. A rod 58 extends through all of the tongues 53 and plates 57 the rod being riveted to the angularly bent portion of the bars 54 and 55 or being threaded to receive a nut'or the like.

A plate 59 is disposed on the top of the bar 54 and carries a scale 60 along the lower marginal edge thereof. The plate 59 is disposed angularly so as to bring the same into view of the operator. The scale will be explained in detail later. Means is provided for depressing one of the key arms 47 said means including a frame 61 having parallel arms 62 on its free end, said arms 62 ex tending into the frame of the machine and being journaled upon the shaft 35. A top screw 63 serves to limit the movement of the frame 61 in the upward direction. The inner ends of the arms 62 are extended 'beyond the shaft 35 and are connected to coil springs 64, the lower ends of the springs being connected to pins 65 carried by the side walls 10 and 11of the main frame. The spring 64 serves to maintain the frame 61 in the upward position. A plate 66 is carriedbeneath the frame 61 and in spaced relation thereto, the plate 66 having enlarged portions 67. A slidable scale 68 is pro-- the scale is in the left hand position'the right finger will engage a certain one of the enlargements 52 and if'the scale is in the right hand position, the left finger will engage a certain one of said enlargements.

In order to prevent manipulation of the machine to deliver a certain amount of transverse bar 15. The rear extremities of the arms 72 are weighted as at 75 and the forward portions of said arms'are offset upwardly as at 76 and provided with upturned ends 77. Portions of the arms are struck out and bent laterally to form tongues 78 adapted to engage in notches 79 formed in the under portion of the free ends of the ejecting means 41 and thereby retain said members. There is one of the lock arms provided for each ejector and'an ejeiitor is provided for each coin chamber. As long as there are coins in the coin pocket or chamber, the'lock arms will be depressed at their forward ends which will cause disengagement of the tongues 7 8 from the ejectorarms and permit manipulation of any of the arms for an ejecting operation. However, as soon as the coins become exhausted in a certain pocket the lock arm under that pocket will, by virtue of its weighted extremity, rise at its forward end to restrain the particular ejector for the eX- hausted pocket. This will prevent an operation of the ejector and notify the operator that the coins are exhausted in one of the pockets. As in my said Patent No. 1,268,462 I provide a lock release which comprises a bar 80 rotatably mounted in the frame above the lock arms and adapted to be rotated by a handle 81 into engagement with the offset portion 76 of said arms in order torelease all of the ejectors for an operation.

In Fig. 4 the scales are shown in plan view and each scale is preferably of the same length and divided into spaces of .1 to 106 in groups of ten indicating cents or fractional parts of a dollar. The free ends of the scale 68 are provided with knurled portions 83 to facilitate manipulationof the same.

A pair of pins 85 extend outwardly and upwardly from the panel 12 and serve to support a coin chute 86 and a closure member 87 over the lower open end thereof similar to the coin chute employed in my prior devices hereinbefore referred to.

In operation, to obtain change the scale 68 is moved until the amount of the sale being made is indicated thereon in alinement with the amount tendered, which latter-amount is to be designated on the upper scale. The frame 61 is then depressed and one of the fingers '71 will engage the proper key causin'g operation of the proper ejectors, delivering the amount of change required. The foregoing is obtained by moving the scale 68 to the right. When the scale is moved for the foregoing operation the zero point on the lower scale will be opposite the numher on the upper scale corresponding to the difference between the amount of sale and the amount tendered.

Thus it will be seen that practically all calculation is left to the machine and that the only thing which the operator must do is to adjust the lower scale in the manner set forth, whereupon the proper change willbe delivered and the amount of change indicated on the upper scale.

When the scales are set at zero, that is, zero on lower scale coincides to zero onthc upper scale, a silver dollar will be delivered.

The machine may be used for delivering an odd amount of change and will also indicate the amount. As an illustration: Assume that a customer makes a purchase of ninety cents and tenders a'bank check or a money order for a $1.63, the operator would obtain the proper change by placing 90 on the lower scale under 63 on the upper scale, and the end of the lower scale would indi cate on the upper scale the correct change. In this operation the lower scale is to be moved to the left.

In Figs. 5 and 6 a modified form of the scale is shown. In this case a direct paying arrangement is provided, a pointer 90 being carried by the slidable scale member 01. The remainder of the structure is identic l with the first form of the invention des d. ln actual practice the pointer and the sale may be provided and when it is desired to use the scale the same may be inserted and when it is desired to use the pointer the scale may be removed and the pointer substituted therefor or either end or the sliding scale may be used to serve as the points for direct paying.

in the provision of my improved changemaking machine, means is afforded whereby to increase the scope of use of the machine and to simplify the structure as well as to increase the speed of operation. It will also be apparent that the machine calculates the amount of change and indicates the amount which will be delivered when the scale is set at a certain point.

The device may be operated by simply placing the fingers on the scale at the point oi the amount of the sale and moving the slide to bring that point opposite to the amount tendered on the upper scale and then without removing the finger, the frame (51 may be pressed down. Thus by two simple motions operation is etlected. The placing of the finger upon the amount on the movable scale makes it easier to bring the two amounts into register, as it prevents losing of the selected amount on the lower scale while looking for the amount on the upper scale. hen the finger is placed upon the scale the scale may be moved by that finger or may be moved by means of the other hand grasping the narrow ends of the scale.

The counting mechanism shown in Fig. 8 which is particularly adaptable for use in connection with a direct paying machine is adapted to be mounted on the top portion 92 of the main frame by means of a suitable bracket 93. The operating shaft 94: which has connection with the usual numeral wheels provided within the casing 95 is provided with a ratchet 96 securely mounted upon its outer end. I provide a link 97 piv-- otally connected at 40 to the ejector finger -11, the opposite end of the link being pivs otally connected to an advancing arm 98.

It is apparent that when a coin is ejected by movement of the ejector finger 4:1 forwardly as has been explained, motion will mounted thereon.

be imparted to the arm 98 by means of the link 97, moving the advancing arm 98 about the shaft 94 upon which it is loosely mounted. The arm 98 is provided with a suitable pin 99 which,-when the arm is moved forwardly by the ejector finger 4:1, is adapted to cooperate with the'ratchet 96 to advance the. numeral wheels contained within the casing 95 thereby disclosing to. the operator, through a'sight opening provided in the top of the casing95, the exact number of coins that have been ejected by that particular ejector finger, a separate and distinct ei'iunting machinism being employed in connection with each of theejector fingers all.

The yielding-stop shown in Fig. 9 for limiting theoutward movement ofthe ejector levers 36 comprises a pair of levers 100 (one of which is shown) which are journaled for rotation at opposite ends of the machine on the transverse shaft 35 and are adapted upon forward movement of either of the U-bars 3a to be engaged thereby. A link 101 provided with a washer 102 rigidly mounted thereon is pivotally connected to the lever 100 adjacent the upper end thereof. A crossbar 103 extending transversely of the machine serves as astationary stop and is provided with an'angle bar 104.- suitably The link 101 passes through a suitable slot provided in'theangle bar 104 as shown, the angle bar forming an effective guide therefor. A coil spring 105 is confined on. the link 101 between the washer 102 and the angle bar 104.

Thus, when the lever 100 moves forwardly by engagement of either of the U-bars 34 therewith thefcoil spring 105 serves as a cushioning means to take up the thrust of the U-bars which would otherwise cause the ejector levers 36 to engage the stationary stop member 103 with a considerable blow.

In Fig. 101 have shown a yielding stop for limiting the inward movement of the ejector levers. A pair o'fsupporting brackets 106, one of which is suitably mounted on each of the end plates of the machine, support this yielding stop mechanism. Each of these brackets form a guide for a headed post 107 which-is connected at its outer end as by the machine screw 108 to a cross bar 109, extending transversely of the machine, the opposite end thereof being guided in a similar manner. A coil spring 110 is con-- fined on the post 107 between the supporting bracket 106 and the cross bar 109, thus forming a cushion for taking up the thrust of the ejector levers 36 upon inward movement thereof.

I do not limit myself to all ofthe details of construction, it being desirable, of course, that some means be provided for distinguishing, the scales apart such as numbering, lettering, coloring, enameling or the like so as to facilitate alinement of the various amounts indicated thereon.

I claim:

1. In a coin delivering mechanism, a plurality of coin magazines, an ejector for each magazine, a plurality of arms for operating the ejectors, a longitudinally slidable scale, and means set by the scale to. actuate said armsfor performing an ejecting operation.

2. In a coin delivering mechanism, a plurality of coin magazines, an ejector for each magazine, a plurality ofarms for operating the ejectors, an actuating means comprising stationary and adjustable scale members adapted for relative longitudinal sliding motion, and means on the adjustable scale to engage said arms selectively to eject a coin or combination of coins.

3. In a coin delivering mechanism, a plurality of coin magazines, an ejector for each magazine, a plurality of operating arms therefor, a stationary scale, a slidable scale shiftable longitudinally along said stationary scaleand adapted to be depressed, means on the slidable scale for selective connection with the free ends of said arms upon depression of said slidable scale.

4. In a coin delivering mechanism, a plurality of coin magazines, an ejector for each magazine, a plurality of arms for operating said ejectors, a stationary scale, a juxtaposed movable scale hingedly mounted, tongue members carried by the movable scale to engage selectively said arms when the second scale is depressed, whereby to actuate said arms and eject a coin or combination of coins.

5. In a coin delivering mechanism, a plurality ofcoin magazines, an ejector for each magazine, a plurality of arms for operating said ejector's, and a longitudinally slidable selective scale for operating said arms s'electively to eject a coin or plurality of coins.

6. In a coin delivering mechanism, a plurality of coin magazines, an ejector for each magazine, a plurality of keys for selectively actuating saidejectors, a stationary scale, a depressible plate, a slidable scale carried thereby and adapted to aline with first said scale, and meanson the slidable scale to engage said keys upon depression of the scale to eject a coin or combination of coins.

'- 7. In a coin delivering mechanism, a plurality of coin magazines, an ejector for each magazine, a plurality of key arms, a sta-' tionary scale, a depressible frame, a slidable scalev thereon, and means on said slidable scaleto engage one of the key arms when the frame is depressed for operating an ejector to deliver a coin. v

8. The combination of coin chambers, ejecting mechanism, a plurality of means adapted to be selected to actuate said ejecting mechanism,and a longitudinally slidable selective scale having means to. engage and actuate certain of said means,

9. In a coin delivery mechanism, a plui rality of coin magazines, an ejector for each magazine, a plurality of key arms, a stationary scale, a depressible frame, a slidable indicating member carried thereon, and means on said indicating member to engage one of the key arms when, the frame is depressed for operating an ejector to deliver a coin or a plurality of the same.

10. In a coin delivery mechanism, a plurality of coin magazines, an ejector for each magazine, a plurality of key arms, a station ary' scale, a depressible frame, a slidable scale carried thereby, means on said slidable scale to'engage one of the key arms when the frame is depressed for operating an ejector to deliver a coin, and automatic locking means to restrain an ejector controlled by the presence of a coin in the coin magazine.

11. In combination coin holding means, coin delivering means, a plurality of operat ing elements for the coin delivering means selectively operable to deliver divers coins or combinations of coins, an actuating member movable for selectively actuating the operating means and cooperating members longitudinally slidable with respect to each other for operating the actuating member.

12. In combination'coin holding means, coin delivering means, a plurality of operating elements for the coin delivery means selectively operable to deliver divers coins or combinations of coins .in predetermined units of a series, said operating elements -having selectable members arranged in a consecutive order corresponding in location to the predetermined units ofthe series, and a longitudinally slidable scale movable to select and actuate the selectable member corresponding to the amount desired.

13. In combination coin handling means, coin delivering means, a plurality of operating elements for the coin delivery means selectively operable to deliver divers coins or combinations of coins in predetermined units of a series, said operating elements having selectable members arranged in a consecutive order corresponding in location to the predetermined units of a series longitudinally slidable scale, means for indicating the amount of the sale and for indicating the amount tendered and means controlled in accordance with the setting of said scale means for selecting the selectable member corre sponding to the amount of difference between amount of sale and amount tendered.

14:. In coin delivery mechanism, coin holding means, com e ecting means, actuating 125 predetermined unit, said scalesbeing mountedin juxtaposition, and being longitudinally movable relatively to each other, sa1d scales jointly selecting and operating said actuating means.

15. In coin delivery mechanism, coin holding means, coin ejecting means, actuating means for selectively actuating said ejecting means, a scale set off to represent amounts tendered, a scale set off in multiples of a predetermined unit, said scales being mounted in juxtaposition and being movable longitudinally relatively to each other, another motion of one or said scales operating to actuate said actuating means.

16.. In coin delivery mechanism, a plurality of coin magazines, an ejector for each magazine, automaticlocking means for said ejectors comprising fingers pivotally mount ed on fixed pivots and having ends extending into said magazines and controlled by the coins therein, and manually operated re lease means for holding the locking means for all of said coin magazines in released position.

17. In coin delivery mechanism, a plurality of coin delivering magazines, an ejector for each magazine, automatic locking means for each ejector, comprising a Weighted lever pivotally mounted on a fixed pivot and having an arm extending into the associated coin magazine to be controlled by the coins therein, said lever having a projection adapted to be positioned in the path of the ejector when the magazine is empty toprevent the operation of the ejector, and a com: mon releasing bar for all looking levers adapted to hold the said projections out of the paths of the ejector.

18. In coin delivery mechanism, coin holding means, coin ejecting means, actuating means for selectively actuatingsaid ejecting means, and a pair of scale members for selecting and operating said actuating means, said scale membersadapted for relative longitudinal sliding motion, one of said scale members having scale divisions thereon set oil in multiples of a pre-determined unit and adapted to aline withv a predetermined.

point on the other scale member to determine the selected actuated means.

19. In coin delivery mechanism, coin holding means, coin. ejecting means, actuating means for selectively actuating said ejecting means, and scale means for selectin and operating said actuating 'means, said scale means comprising a longitudinally slidable scale member, andscale divisions on said scale means set off in multiples of a predetermined unit and adapted for cooperating with a predetermined point for determining the selected actuating means.

20. In coin delivery mechanism, coin handling means, coin ejecting means, actuating means for selectively actuating said ej ecting means, a depressible frame, scale means for selecting and operating said actuating means comprising a pair of relatively slidable scale members, one of, said scale members being mounted on said depressible frame, and scale divisions on said scale means set off in multiples of a predetermined unit and adapted for cooperation with a predetermined point for determining the selected actuating means. V

21. In a change making machine, coin holding means, coin ejecting means, actuating means for selectively. actuating, said ejecting means, scale means for selecting said actuating means comprisinga stationary scale and a movable scale slidable longitudinally alon said stationary scale, said scales representing the amount of the sale and the amount tendered, andmeans controlled in accordance with the setting of said scales for indicating the amount delivered.

22. In a change making machine, coin holding means, coin ejecting means, actuating means for selectively actuating said ejecting means, a depressible frame, scale means for selecting said actuating means comprising a stationary scale and a movable scale slidable longitudinally along said stationary scale, one of said scales being mounted on said depressible frame, said scalesrepresenting the amount of the sale and the amount tendered, and means controlled in accordance With the setting, of said scales for indicating the amount delivered. 7 V

23. In a change making machine, coin holding means, coin ejecting means, actuating means for selectively actuating said.

ejecting means, and a plurality of operating members for operating said actuating means, said operatingmembers being operated in accordance with the amountof the sale and the amount tendered, said operating members each being operable to indicate said amounts in unit increments of one cent and means controlled in accordance With the amount of the sale for indicating the amount delivered in saidunit increments.

2-1. In combination, coin selecting'mechanism longitudinally slidable scale means having appropriate scale divisions for indicating the desired coin selecting operations and operating means connecting said scale means with, said coin selecting mechanism for operating the latter, I r

. 25. In a change making machine, coin se- 'lecting 'mechamsm, scale means for actuating said coin selecting mechanism, said scale means comprising a longitudinally slidable coin, automatic locking means for said ejector comprising a finger pivoted independently of said ejector to permit independent mot-1011 of said ejector, said finger extending automatie locking means in released position.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe 10 my name this 9th day of January, A. D. 1918.

BENJAMIN C. HOEFER. 

